LEADERSHIP UPDATE
JANUARY 16, 2017
Correspondence
- Thank-you card from office staff and Recording Secretary for service recognition.
- Letter from International approving use of up to $20,000 for Membership Appreciation Meetings.
- National Safety Council Spring Conference/IBEW Safety Caucus, April 2-6, Nashville, TN. Approved necessary expenses to send up to five delegates to conference.
- 2017 Pipeline Safety Conference, February 8-10, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Approved necessary expenses to send up to four delegates to conference.
- IBEW Utility Conference, April 26-27, Cleveland, OH. Approved necessary expenses to send up to eight delegates to conference.
- 29th Annual Legislative Breakfast, March 18, Green Bay, WI. Approved necessary expenses to send up to ten delegates to conference.
- 59th Annual Labor Kick-Off Banquet, January 28, Sheboygan, WI. Approved necessary expenses to send up to ten delegates to event.
Mileage & Expenses
Reviewed.
Lost Time
Reviewed.
Financial Report
Report for December reviewed and approved. The report reflects income from annual dues payments by outside line construction that will be an expense on the January report, computer equipment purchases, etc. Have reserve funds for approximately six months.
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
Business Manager's Report – M. Follett
- Safety – Overall, believe L.U. 2150 had a good year in most areas; unfortunately, there was a fatality and several other incidents where there were very severe injuries that could have been worse. We all need to continue our efforts to avoid serious injuries. We Energies took a step backwards overall in 2016 with regard to the number of OSHA reportables (at company threshold) and lost-time injuries (below company threshold). K. Fletcher credits the Safety Liaison program as contributing toward LU 2150 bucking the trend of the rest of the company. All employees in all areas need to remember to work safely.
- Pleasant Prairie Power Plant – L.U. 2150 will be meeting with the company to discuss the partial year shutdowns. Anticipate information will be forthcoming following the meeting.
- We Energies Line Mechanic Retention Bonus – K. Fletcher, B. Dobberke, and R. Erenz met with the L.U. 2150 Bargaining Committee regarding the company’s Line Mechanic retention bonus for the remainder of the contract (January-August 2017). K. Fletcher explained his intent with the offer (including the 50% group response rate). The bonus is a bridge to a long- term solution, with the original intent of the bonus to keep overhead line personnel at We Energies continuing. In addition, they are willing to pay the bonus if the current performance of the group re: callout response is maintained. L.U. 2150 provided the company with feedback received from the affected employees and discussed the potential negative impact to safety, worker distraction, division of the group, etc., by including the 50% group response rate requirement and added that we expect that the group will continue, or even improve its current response rate for the bonus period. Following adjournment, the parties reconvened. K. Fletcher stated he would remove the 50% group response rate from the offer, but require 35% individual response rate for all covered workers. In addition, he agreed that a joint company-union committee would be developed prior to contract negotiations to reach a long-term resolution.
- L.U. 2150 Website (www.ibewlocal2150.org) – Members are encouraged to sign up on the website and provide feedback on the site. L.U. 2150 is looking to enhance the site to include on-line dues payments and an app for smartphones and tablets. It is anticipated the enhancements will be available within the next few months. The new website replaced the old “Interchange” website for communications for SPX and We Energies 2017 negotiations.
- 2017 Contract Negotiations:
- SPX – Bargaining committee has been identified and will begin meeting in February.
- We Energies – Bargaining committee has been determined and met January 10 and 11. The committee intends to begin accepting negotiation ideas on a form on the website as well as postcards following the next meeting of the bargaining committee February 9.
- Line Clearance – Efforts to extend the current contract to include 2017 and 2018 increases in Lineco were unsuccessful.
- Line Construction – Contract extension has been ratified by members. The contracts run through 2022.
- PBNP:
- Safety – New Safety Committee co-chair is Brian Lombrecht from ISC (Storeroom). Congratulations to Greg LeCloux who recently received the 2016 Chairman's Safety Champion of the Year award for NextEra’s Nuclear Business Unit. Greg will continue as the IBEW 2150 PBNP representative on the L.U. 2150 Safety Committee and continue his support at PBNP, focusing on plant physical changes to improve safety.
- First new nuclear plant online (Watts Bar 2) in a couple of decades.
- Illinois passed pro-nuclear legislation with bi-partisan support to help even the playing field with other clean power and alleviate concerns about potential shutdown of base load power in the current energy market with low gas prices. PBNP is solid at this time with the current Power Purchase Agreement.
- Right-to-Work Impact – PBNP is at 10 out of 450 members choosing not to pay their fair share (dues).
- Worker’s Compensation – Once an individual has received a settlement from Workers’ Compensation, he/she has 12 years from that date during which claims relating to the injury can be submitted. If the individual receives an additional payment during that time period (e.g., go from 12% disabled to 13% disabled, additional claim is paid, etc.), the 12-year statute of limitations begins again. It was noted that the current statute of limitations (12 years) will be changing to six years for cases filed after the effective date of the law change.
President’s Report – B. Stone
- Solidarity Committee/Membership Engagement Committee – Committee will be meeting February 8 to conduct normal business. In addition, upcoming solidarity events include:
- Northern Fishing Derby – Kettle Moraine – January 28
- Southern Fishing Derby – Eagle Lake – February 11
- L.U. 2150 Website (www.ibewlocal2150.org) – All members are encouraged to register on the website. The website will be a helpful tool in communicating with members, especially with upcoming contract negotiations at SPX and We Energies.
- We Energies Bargaining Committee – Committee met yesterday and will be meeting again today to formulate a plan and timeline for upcoming contract negotiations and to obtain member input and feedback.
Vice President/Safety Liaison – J. Zauner
- 2017 We Energies Line Mechanic Rodeo will be held June10 at the Bluemound Training Center. Members are encouraged to get involved. More information will be forthcoming.
Good of the Union
None.
